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Neil Young kicked off his four-date “Honour the Treaties” tour of Canada on Sunday with some fighting words about the rapid expansion of oilsands development in northern Alberta, saying the Canadian government is ignoring hard science because it’s “inconvenient.”

“To me, it’s a basic matter of integrity on the part of Canada. Canada is trading integrity for money,” said Young. “That’s what’s happening under the current leadership in Canada, which is a very poor imitation of the George Bush administration in the United States. It’s lagging behind on the world stage and it’s an embarrassment to Canadians. So, as a Canadian, I felt like I had a chance to do something by bringing this together.”

The expat-Canadian rock ‘n’ roller’s latest outing on the road is aimed at raising money for the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation’s ongoing legal efforts to put the brakes on what they feel are reckless development policies without thought to future consequences by the petrochemical industry. The “Honour the Treaties” tour name refers to the Canadian First Nations communities’ constitutionally enshrined right to be consulted and accommodated when new policies threaten their livelihood on the land or access to cultural grounds.

Prior to his solo show at Massey Hall on Sunday night, Young staged an afternoon press conference in the venue flanked by four in-the-know fellow speakers — including moderator David Suzuki and Athabasca Chipewyan Chief Allan Adam, who says his community of Fort Chipewyan has, since the oilsands industry moved in upstream, seen wildlife vanish, fish rendered inedible and cancer rates skyrocket to 30 per cent above the general population.

Young didn’t pull any punches, either, labelling the oilsands a “devastating environmental catastrophe” and accusing Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Conservatives, who pulled out of the Kyoto Protocol in 2012, of selling out their grandchildren’s future for the sake of short-term financial gain.

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A recent visit to the Alberta oilsands left an indelible impression as “the greediest, most destructive and disrespectful demonstration of something run amok that you could ever see” and left Young pessimistic about the petroleum industry’s promises of environmental “reclamation” once the land has been bled dry of oil.

Singer Neil Young speaks during a press conference for the "Honor the Treaties" tour, a series of benefit concerts supporting an Alberta First Nation's legal fight against oilsands development. (Richard Lautens / Toronto Star) | Order this photo

David Suzuki waits to speak during a press conference for Neil Young's "Honor the Treaties" tour, a series of benefit concerts supporting an Alberta First Nation's legal fight against oilsands development. (Richard Lautens / Toronto Star) | Order this photo

Athabasca Chipewyan Chief Allan Adam, left, speaks alongside singer Neil Young at a press conference for the "Honor the Treaties" tour, a series of benefit concerts in support of the First Nation's fight against Alberta oilsands development. (Mark Blinch / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

“It’s like turning the moon into Eden,” he quipped. “It’s just not possible.”

In the interests of fairness, Young and his colleagues did invite representatives of the federal government to join them for the press conference and present their own take on the matter. That request was “respectfully declined,” he said, adding he would happily accept the chance to meet with Harper and discuss his concerns directly.

“I don’t think I’m going to get to see him, anyway,” he said dryly. “But if he does want to see me, I’m ready to go see him. I would welcome the opportunity . . . There must be another side to the story.”

Prime Minister’s Office spokesman Jason MacDonald said by email on Sunday: “Even the lifestyle of a rock star relies, to some degree, on the resources developed by thousands of hard-working Canadians every day. Our government recognizes the importance of developing resources responsibly and sustainably, and we will continue to ensure that Canada’s environmental laws and regulations are rigorous.

“We will ensure that companies abide by conditions set by independent, scientific and expert panels. Projects are approved only when they are deemed safe for Canadians and environment.”

In the meantime, Young will continue showing solidarity with the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation — which, among other legal challenges aimed at slowing the pace of oilsands expansion, has just filed for a judicial review of the government’s approval for the expansion of Shell Oil’s Jackpine mine project — with Honour the Treaties gigs in Winnipeg, Regina and Calgary.

“We made a deal with these people,” he said. “We are breaking our promise. We are killing these people. The blood of these people will be on modern Canada’s hands . . .

“I hope that we can make a difference for our grandchildren. That’s why we’re here. That’s why I’m here. I want my grandchildren to grow up and look up and see a blue sky and have dreams that their grandchildren are going to do great things. And I don’t see that today in Canada. I see a government that’s just completely out of control. Money is number one and integrity isn’t even on the map.”

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